Means for unlocking locks



Dec. 22, 1936. BUDAY 2,064,818

MEANS FOR UNLOCKING LOCKS Filed Sept. 29, 1934 Hui/7 INVENTOR fiww/s Buddy ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 22, 1936 UNITED STATES rATENT OFFICE MEANS ron UNLOGKING LooKs Francis Buday, New York, N. Y. Application September 29, rate; Serial No. 745.070

1 Claim. (c1. io- -m This invention relates to tumbler locks, and more especially to a method and means for unlocking such locks where the key that fits the lock is not available for use.

An object of the invention is to provide a method and means permitting a person to unlock a lock of the tumbler variety such as Yale or Corbin locks of standard make, where the person has mislaid his key or for other reasons must open the lock without access to its key and preferably without mutilating the lock or dismantling it.

Another object is to provide such a means that is simple and inexpensive to make and which can 1 be readily carried in the pocket and is easy to apply to the lock for the purpose intended.

All these and other objects as suggested here below are attained by the methods and means now to be described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the diametral plane of a standard and well known type of tumbler lock, the one illustrated being known as the Segal. This view shows the two key portions comprising this invention in position to permit the lock to be unlocked.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of one form of the auxiliary key element.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View of another form of the auxiliary key element, this modified form having a notch near the beveled or camming end of the element.

Fig. 4 is a third modification of the auxiliary key element, similar to that of Fig. 2 but containing a right angle projecting portion at the handle end for easier insertion into the lock.

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of the auxiliary key portion shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 when made fiat for use in certain kinds of tumbler locks.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but of a form of auxiliary key element slightly curved on one side to more easily adapt it for insertion in other types of tumber locks,

And Fig. 7 is a still further modification of the end elevation of an auxiliary key element to adapt it for use in still different types of tumbler locks.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the drawing there is shown in Fig. 1 a, sectional view of the cylinder or casing ll] of a standard type of tumbler lock, equipped with a plurality of pairs of plungers ll2l slidably arranged in their holes l2 and being caused to press downwardly therein by means of spiral springs IS. The ends of these plungers II are semi-spherical or otherwise rounded off for ease in operation or there may be small ball bearings positioned at their ends as is usual in some types of locks. These various plungers II are of different lengths as shown (while plungers 12 are of the same length) and normally when a key is not inserted in the lock they project downwardly into aligned holes in the rotatable cylindrical portion IA of the lock to prevent the same from turning.

Secured to member M, which is journaled to rotate in its position as shown, is a lock spindle I5 which controls the latch and lock bolt of the look. And 16 represents the aperture into which the usual key for the lock is inserted for actuating the tumbler and for rotating the spindle 15.

The method of the invention consists in first inserting an auxiliary key element designed to retain in upward or unengaging position the series of plungers out of contact with the rotatable cylinder I4, and then to insert the main turningkey adapted in association with the auxiliary key portion to be introduced into the aperture of the lock and to turn said lock portion together with the spindle l5.

The means of accomplishing this consist of an auxiliary key portion H, Fig. 2, having a cam end portion "A adapted to cam upwardly the ends of the several plungers as the member I! is first inserted into the aperture l6 of the lock. After such insertion the regular key 18, which is a regular key blank of the same grooved or cross sectional configuration having its normal projections on one side filed ofi to make room for both it and. the auxiliary key portion IT to enter the aperture is inserted therein and by turning the operating end of said key I8 the lock is readily moved to in turn move spindle l5 and operate the latch or look bolt.

The member I! as shown has a series of upwardly extending projections I'IB adapted when inserted in position as shown in Fig. 1 to hold up the lower ends of plungers ll.

Of course a standard key blank containing the proper cross sectional configuration or grooves is available for any one make of lock and there are only a few such shaped keys needed for all looks of the tumbler type.

In certain cases, however, (as when spindle I5 is at right angles longitudinally to that shown in the drawing or is otherwise in the way) it is necessary to permit the cammed end HA to be carried away as the lock is turned and in such cases the member I! is notched at l9, Fig. 3, in such manner that the portion HA is retained with sufficient rigidity to perform its camming function and yet with a small cross section which will permit portion l 1A to readily be torn away from the main portion I! when the key is being turned.

In order to facilitate the introduction and removal of member I! it is sometimes desirable to provide a handle portion 20, Fig. 4, at its operating end and as a modification to that shown in Fig. 2. Also in certain instances it is necessary to have auxiliary key member ll either flat as shown in Figs; 2 and 5 or slightly curved at one end as shown in Fig. 6 or in a somewhat flattened 2 section as shown in Fig. '7. This of course depends upon the particular configuration of the aperture [6 in the difierent types of tumbler locks.

.Having now described the invention, what is claimed as new and for which Letters Patent of the United States is desired is:

An unlocking means for standard tumbler locks comprising an individual auxiliary key member adapted to be inserted in the lock aperture and having bits of uniform length adapted to engage against the ends of the plungers to prevent them engaging and locking the turning cylinder of the lock, and an individual main key portion adapted to be inserted after the auxiliary portion to hold the latter in its operating position and thereafter to turn the turning cylinder of the lock to unlocked position, said plungers being of difierent lengths, and both said key members having a flat contacting surface, there being a notch portion out of the outer end of the auxiliary key member such that it will weaken the key section at said point to permit it to be torn away under stress.

FRANCIS BUDAY. 

